Apparatus for fabricating wire mesh



Nov. 9 1926.

-J. K. GEHRET ET AL `APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH 9 Sheets-Sheet l Filed August 13, 1925 INVENTOR.- Cfohn A. Geh/ Dahon R. Geizz'e, BY

- ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 9 1926. 1,695,934

J. K. GEHRET ET AL -APPRXTUS FOR FABRICATINGv WIRE MESH Filed August 413, 1925 Sheets-Sheet 3 l INVENToR John/l @ebrei Ke. Mahlow R Gaim/a, BY

Nov. 9,1926. '1,605,934

' .L K. GEHRf-:T v51/fu.

APPARATUS FOR .FABRICATING WIRE MESH l Filed Angus-t 13, 192e 9 Smeets-sheet 4 Nov. 9 1926. 1,605,934

I .,J. K. GEHRET Er A1.

APPARATUS FOR AFABRICA'LINGWIRE MESH ,Filed Aughist 13. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet l5 IN VEN TOR:

Johnjf. @Ebrei Maldon i? Geh/rei,

BY I

- A ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 9 1926.

J. rg. GEHRET ET AL APPARATS ROR FABRICATING WIRE MESH 9 Sheets-Sheet G Filed Agusb k3. 1925 .le I

0M m m f., m

W I TNESSES Nov. 9 1926.

J. K. GEHRET ET AL APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH Filed August 13,

1925 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIGE J W1 TN'ESSES mmzmiz Gezwa- Nav. v9; 192e.

J. K. GEHRET ETT AL APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR- Filed August 13- 1925 ATTORNEY;

v,Paten-ted Nov. 9, 1926. I

UMTED STATES PATENT oFFicE. y

JOHN K. GHRET, OF NORRISTOWN, AND MHLON P. GEHRET, OF lBLRIDGIEPORT,

i PENNSYLVANIA APPARATUS AFor; FABRICATING WIRE MESH.

Application aieanugastis, 1925. serial No. 49,988.-

This inventiontrelates td apparatus or ma-A 1 cliines for'fabricaiing wire mesh andis concerned, `'more particularly, with .a type 1ntended for producing metallic fabric of stout crimped wire useful .in the manufacture of protective screens for windows, doors, etc.,

and characterized by having tlie niesh` opeiiings comparatively large and disposed di-- agonally relative to the fabric side edges. 1u

variety mentioned, is dependent upon siiccessive formation of angularly-disposed Asheds of wire ends trailing from previously- I formed fabric with alternate reversals 15.the' relation of such ends for-reception of new strands in`crossed relation, and succes'- sive incorporation of these new strands in the fabric through intermittent progression of the latter during periods betw'e'ei'i consecutive shed formations. Apparatus heretofore availablefor weaving diamond wire mesh in accordance with the principle briefly out-lined, was usually designed for manual operation,'requiring not only specialskill on the part of the weaver, but extreme physical effort in manipulation, Athereby rendering production very slow and costly, and

often with the output faulty or irregular,

, `as well as necessitating trimming with con- .':o sequent wastage of material.

The main object of ourinvention is to overcome the various difficulties above pointed-out,-that is to say,-to enable fabrica-v tion of diamond wire mesh more economi- ;15 cally than heretofore-andv without wastage of material; and to provide an efficient appa- A' ratuswhereby this .may be expeditiously accomplislied with minimum labor and expense, as well as without requiring' any 40 special skill `on the part of the operator Another object of the present invention is to secure the foregoing advantage/ in a weaving apparatus capable of rea y and quick adaptation to fabrication of wire mesh 35 differing in the pitch or distance between adjacent wire strands.

Still other objects and attendant advantageswill be manifest from the detailed descriptiQn, which follows, of the typical em- 5" bodiment of our invention illustrated by the drawings herewith; and in which Fig. I, isa plan view.

. Fig. II,.is a

fragmentary side .elevation Fabrication of wire mesh of the specicv l of the apparatus viewed lin the direct-ion of I the arrows IIII in Fig. I.

'Fig III, is a' longitudinal sectional view of the organiza-tion, with various-portions in. the'backgi-ound. omitted to avoid con-- fusion. l i I A Fig IV, is aplan view of the apparatus with certain part-s in the upper portion of lthe. structure omitted to expose 'the details of the driving mechanism and the control therefor.l

F ig.' V, is a diagrammatic fragmentary detail plan-section showing the manner of formation of the wire mesh, the section beof the vwire engaging instrumentalities employed in connection with the shed formers. Fig..IX, is a fragmentary elevation, on a larger scale than the preceding illustrations, 'of theV mechanism -provided for actuating each of the shed forme/rs. -i

Fig. X, is a locall section taken .as indicated by the arrows X-#X in Figs. AI-and III, the view being considerably contracted laterally by braks at convenient intermediate regions.

Fig. XI, is a fragmentary elevation of the mechanism for progressing the metallic fabric through the a. paratus.

Fig. XII,'is a etailsection taken as indicated bythe arrows XII-XII in Fig. XI. l y,Fig III, is a section, viewed in the direction 'of the'arrows XIII- XIII in Fig. IV, showing the clutch mechanism forcontrolling operation of the apparatus.

, FigXIV, is an axial section of the clutch mechanism along the plane indicated by the arrows XIV-XIV in Fig. XIII; and

Fig. XV, is an illustration showing a detail of the apparatus frame taken as indicated by the arrows XV-XV in Fig. IIL A Referring more particularly -to Figs. I and IV of the drawings, it will be observed that the main frame of the apparatus is rectangular .at the rear end, while. its sides approach each other symmetrically at the forward end to meet substantially 4in a right angle, with the apexthereof in the mecmin ing taken as indicatedl by the` arrcnrvsV-.V`

ipo

nally (see Figs. I and III), by a longitudi' nal beam 23, and also by parallel struts 24 that tie the side columns.17.to the rear of the frame structure.

In the course of manufacture, the metallic fabric (indicated F in F ig. V) is supported upon a horizontal series otrollers 25 whereby it is also progressed through the apparatus. These rollers 25 are located at suitable intervals lengthwise lof 'the structure and journalled for rotation in appropriate bearlngs 26 'supported by the main frame. As'

shown in Fig. X,`the Jrollers 25 are made in two sections with provision, in each instance,

or' acentr'al space 27 to :accommodate a s iral gear 28 which is'llixed 'on the roller s aft and adapted to be driven by an intermeshing spiral pinion 29. The several pinions 29 are fast on a line shaft`30, ertendinglengthwise of the apparatus-see Figs. I and III, which lrotates in journal bearings 31 mounted upon the longitudinal' bracing beam 23. As later on explained, -the line shaft 30 is intermittently rotated to similarly move the` metallic fabric F (Fig. V) as each new pair of strands S, S is incorporated. In order to increase the tractive action of the rollers 25,-I provide a corresponding series of cooperating rollers 33 that are mounted, ,withv capacity for free rotation, in a horizontal overhanging frame 34 which is pivoted at 35 to the rear end of the-main frame so that its forward end can belifted to enable ini' tial threading of a starting piece or length of fabric F. The means provided for lifting the frame 34 in the manner just noted, in-

'cludes a lever handle 36 (see Figs. I and III) fulcrumed at 37 to the top of the frontal column 18 and connected with said frame 34 by a drop link 38. To ensure greater rigidity against distortion under the weight of the rollers 33, the frame 34 is braced by tie bars 39, while it is prevented from lateral shifting during movement, by guides 40, one being disposed at each side of the4 apparatus-see Fig. I-and 4bolted to the adjoining intermediate side column 17 of the main frame, as illustrated in Fi XV.-

Referring more particu arly to Fig. AV, it will be apparent that in the weaving of the metallic fabric. F, it is necessaryto form a double shed along the lines A--A and B-'B 'to enableg'ateacb actuetQn 0f the appart' tus, lthe incorporation. of two new wire strands in crossed relation for each intermittent' progression of the fabric F whereb the pitch-or the 'spacingof the strands S .is determined. For the purpose mentioned,

I employ what may conveniently be termed formers 45 are identical in construction, and respectively occupy thev angular sides of the main framehone of them being shown complete in side elevation-.in Fig. II. Each of the shed formers 45 .comprises upper and lower opposing'members or' jaws 46,` 47 respectively provided with projecting instrumentalities having the form of teeth 48, 49 that'are-'adapted to intermesh when in the closed or -shed-forming position illustrated.`

The upper member 46 is Guided for reciprocative movement. through engagement of its `opposite ends in suitableslots aforded by the-columns 17, 18, and it is equipped with spaced upward `projections 50 that extend through guides 51- on the horizontal 2() of the mainframe for attachment of circumferentially grooved anti-friction rollers 52.

shed formers, comprehensively designated 45 inthe several illustrations. .These shed- These anti-friction rollers 52. are acted upon by mechanism which includes a longitudinally shi'fta'ble-ba'r 53, hung from the upper frame lhorizontal 19 by a pair of links 54, so

as to engage lwithin the `'circumferential'v grooves 'of the rollers52. -DOWnWard mo'v'ement of the upper shed forming member 46 is opposedby a weight 55 adjustable .along one end of a lever 56, which'is fulcrumed at 57.to the upperframe horizontal 19, cand connected at the opposite 'end directly to said forming member 46 bya pair of straddle links 58. lThe lower shed forming member`47 is likewise guidedfor vertical recip rocation with its .ends engaging appropriatev slots a'cr'ledby the columns 17 18 and it is actuated in a similar manner, but, in opposition to its own weight, by alongitudinally'- shiftablebar 59 pivotally connected to the lower frame horizontal 22- by links 60 which IUS' llO

engage'grooved anti-friction rollers 61 mounted on depending projections '62 of said lower member 47. l j

The shiftable bars 53 and 59 are "simultaneouslj7 actuated bvmechanism shown at.

the left hand end of'Fig. II. and in greater detail to a larger scalein Fig. IX. In the case of the upper bar 53, I employ at the left hand end thereof, a gravity latch 63 which is pivoted on a stud 64 and counterweighted at 65 for engagement of its hooked end'66 withthe pin 67 on a rotatable di'sc 68. This disc'68 is fixed upon a stub shaft 69 journalled in the depending bearing 70 of a. bracket 71 bolted to the top frame hori" zontal 19. Incidental to rotation of the disc 68, in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon,the.bar 53 will-obviously-belnoved te the leitfas, Viewed in Fig', IX and the @o 1,605,934 'f y B" toothed member '46 vthereby depressed. Disengagement between the hookedend 66 of the gravity latch 63 and the pin 67- on the disc 68, is automatically brought about, subsequently, by a trip 72 that lies within the path of the weighted end 65, said trip 72 being secured to a local extension 73 of the main Aframe, with capacity for adjustment, so that lthe exact moment of disengagement may be ing bracket 71. The latch hook 75, differs accurately predeterminedv in accordance with the extent of barmovement desired. A stop p in 74 on t-he shiftable bar 53'normally holds the latch 63 substantially in a horizontal position against-the influence of its counter.-

weight 65, so that its'hookedendis -alwaysin readiness for coact-ion with the pin 67 on the rotating disc 68. A similar group of Acooperative parts is relied upon. to actuate the lower shiftable' bar 59,-'that is to sayV-a latchhook 75 pivoted to the left-hand end of said bar is adapted for engagement by the pin 76 on a rotatable disc 77, mounted on a stub shaft i 'i178 rotatablein a vbea-ring bracket. 79, ob-

servable as an exact counterpart of the bearfroin. the latch hook 63, however, in that th'e counter-weight is omitted, for the simple reason that. said latch hook 75 gravitates into 'engagement with the pin 76, under the overbalancii'ig influence ofitshooked end. A lateral projection is provided, in this instance, for cooperation with a stop pin 8 1,

whereby the latch vhook 75 is normally held .in a horizontal posit-ion. The trip 82 for the latch hook 75 is likewise adjustable and mounted upon alocal extension of the'main frame.- Simultaneous driving of the rotatable discs 68 and 77 is effected through the -mediumof in iter gears 83, 84, respectively, on' the stub shaft's 78, which mesh with companion miter bevels 85,86 fixed on a vertical coordinating shaft 87. Thus, concurrent witheach rotation of the coordinating i shaft 87, the shiftable bars'53, 59 are moved 'from the'dotlanddash line positions to the full' line positions shown in Fig. II.

or the purpose of assisting return move` ment of the shiftable bars 53, 59 to the dotto urge a terminal head 93 against the contiguous side column 17 Thus, as the shiftable bars 53, 59 are vmoved to the left, (Fig.

4II) energy is stored' in the springs 92, said energy being subsequently spent in initiat- 'ing movement ofthe bars 53, 59 inthe opposite direction;v or; in other words, to'move them `suiiiciently for 'advancementof the' links 54, 60 beyond thevertieal dead center .nected by .a link 112 with a lever arm '113 thereby enabling gravityto complete move' ment of the bars 53, 59 to the dotland-dash line Positions. This kick-off and rei'flllll movement will naturally -be rapid, and inf-` order to avoid incidental noise, as wellas shock to the apparatus frame, I provide suitagainst which the bars 53, 59 coine to rest. Similar butl'ers 94 Fig. II serve to cushion the fall ofthe lw'eightlevers 56.- 7

The shed formers 45 at respectively opposite angular" sides of the main-frame must of course be simultaneously operated. T011' vthis end, the main shaft 95,' see Figs; I and IV, extends the fullwidth of the apparatus and is journalled in bearings 96,' said shaft' imparting power by means of miter gear couples 97,98, .to Vthe stub shafts 78 of thev actuatin means associated with the two lower shlftable bars 59 for transmis'sion, in turn,- to the upper 'shiftable bar, actuating means through the vertical coordinating shaft-S87.

In the embodiment of this invention illus'- trated, the machine 'derives power from an electric motor conventionally indicated at M in Figs. I arid IV. Atlixedto the shaft of this motor M is a spur pinion which transmits motion, through an interposed train of speed reduction gears 99, to a slee've 100 nor- 95. The power from the motor M' is trans'- mittible from the sleeve to theshatt 95 'under control of a clutch generally indicatedin thedraWingsby the numeral 101, and shown on a larger scale in Figs. XIII and XIV. .This clutch 101- comprises -opposed coupling members in the form of discs' mall-y 'rotatable `freel.)7 upon the main shaft 102, 103v whereof the former' is keyed to the sleeve 100, while the latter 103 has capacity for Amovement toward and away from the former 102 by virtue of being axially-slidable on a square bushing 104 keyed to the shaft. 95, see Fig. XIV. -The clutch members or discs 102, 103 are rovided with -teeth 105 `capable of vinterloc ring but no rllO mallylheld separated in opposition to' a compression springl, by a wedge shoe 107 which engages between a circumferential facing flange 108, onthe disc 102, anda cam block 109 on' the periphery of the opposing clutch disc 103. 4The wedge shoe 107' is fixed to a rock-shaft 110 (see Fig. XIII) so as to be swingable to the dot-and-dash line position indicated in said illustration.' Im

mediately upon withdrawal of the wedge 106 fo`r\ meshing engagement of the teeth thereon with those of the member or disc 102. As a convenient means for retracting the wedge shoe 107, I provide a treadle 111 adjacent the'foot of the frontal column 18, Figs. III and IV, said treadle being con- 'shoe 107, the clutch member or disc ,103 is v urgedfforwardly by the compression 'spring l, keyed on the rock shaft- 110. Depression of I terengagernent between the clutch members or-discs 102, 103 and thereby ali'ecting coup ling of the sleeve 100 with the shaftA 95. The just explained motion. continues, however, only for one complete revolutionxofY the shaft 95,`as determined by subsequent automaticaction of the-wedge shoe'107 in spreading the clutch members or discs 102, 103 to their normal se arated ositions, asillustrated in Fig. IV. movement, incidental to the operation ofthe main shaft 95, is lprevented by engagement of a4 detent 119 with a ratchet wheel 120 secured to said shaft, see Figs'. I and IV. l

The rollers 25, by which the fabric F is progressed through the apparatus, receive motion from the same source of power that serves the shed ormers 45, the interposed.

, n'ieehan'ism being as follows:

To the rear end oi the line lshaft iO-,which carries. the several spiral pinions 29, is affixed a ratchet wheel 121 picked by ay pawl 122 carried by an arm -123 mounted `for oscil- -lation on the rear 'end of said shaft. The

outer end o the arm -123 is coordinated by a link 124 (see Fig. XI) with acrank 125 secured to the 4rear end of a counter-shaft 126 'adapted to be driven from 4 the`ll1a,i1'1- shaft 95 through the medium of a miter gearj couple comprehensively indicated 12'?. in Figs. I and IV, and thereby given 'a single rotation with each actuation of the -appa- In order that the extent of motion rat-us. imparted to the progressing rolls 25 'may be accurately regulated, v'the eccentric pin 128 f is made adjustable ,along the crank 125 by"for1ners'45. 'With the new strands S, S the meansillustrated in Fig. XII. AsA

the treadle 111 to'retraet the wedge shoe 107 shown, the eccentric pin 128 projectsilaterallv from a block129-located within a lon-I gitudinal groove 130 of the crank 125 .which is engaged byanadjustingscrew 131 rotatable in bear-ings at opposite ends of said crank 125. At one end,thescrew 131 is pro.- vided with a manipulating 4head 132 for con? venienc'e in eifecting adjustment. With the means just described it is possible to adjust the throw of'thepawl 122-, 'and vary the influence" of the latter upon the ratchet wheel 121 which vis instrumental in causing lntermittent rotation of theitraction rollers 25 and progressive movement of the fabric F.

Referring again yto Fig. II, itwill be noted that the wire engaging teeth 48, 49 arenot directlyattached 'to the opposing jaws 4 6,

etrogressive ers 45, as 'shown in Fig. V.

` fabrics with 'correspondingly different pitch of the diamond meshes. 'The teeth 48, 49

are furthermore separately attached, by

screws or otherfsuit'able fastening devices, to the elements -135 to enable easy replacementl in the event of breakage of one or moreof them. As shown in Fig. VIII, the ends of the teeth 48, 49 are notched laterally as at 137 to receive and centralize the wire strands, and

at the rear have lateral'oisets 138 with lone gitudinal recesses 139 to form-,collectively considered, continuous guides -for receiving -the lnew wirestrands S, S which are to be incorporated inthefabrio'F, the depressions being preferably tapered as` illustrated, to

afford easy approaches and thereby7 facili-v tate 'introduction 'of said wires. The positions lof thefcrossed strands in the -fabric F isdetermined by stops 140 which limit the extent towhich they maybe-'initially inserted in the sheds established the' respectiveteth v48', 49, .said'stopsfbeing located.

adjacent the lastteethfat the inward ends of the lower members 48 ofthe s hed form- Briefly described, the operation 'of the apparatus is as follow's; f

'I o begin with, it is to be assumed that the apparatus cornes to rest after each 'actuation with the opposing jaws46, 47 of the two shed formers 45 in closed position, and with the teeth 48, `49 flexing the trai-ling ends of alternate strands o the fabric F in opposite Vdir ectior'isf-as shown'inFig.- VI to provide the sheds. New s trands'-4 S are thereupon placed in the .sheds incrossed relation, see Fig.. V, such placement being 4facilitated 'by the guides jointly'l afforded by the ,lateral offset-s 138 of the lteeth'48, 49 of the shed properly positioned, the operator depresses' from. between the opposing di'scmember'sj 102,103 of the clutch 101, thereby eifeeting automatic coupling of the sleeve S100 with the main shaft 95 to set the apparatus in motion'. shaft --95 one complete revolution. for each actuation of the apparatus,notionis trans-A mitted (through the various interposed in- 'Incidental to. turning' of the main f .strumentalities previously described, includ- Aing the vertical coordinatingfshafts 87) .si-

multaneously to the rotatable discs 68, 77

of the shed former actuating means aft o poj 25 duce with the apparatusv described', wire 63, 75 with the respective pins 67, 76 `on the discs 68, 77 to' effect approach of the teeth 48, 49, and secondly upon subsequent release to thevaction ofthe kick-off devices 89, they temporarilyassumeunder the assistance of gravity, the dot-and-dash line positions indicated in F ig. II; or, with the teeth 48, 49 .relativelyl separated.l .During the period of separation of. the shed fo'rmers 45, the fabric F is progressed, by motion imparted to the tractile rolls under' the action of the pawl- `ing mechanism shown in Fig. XI, in the manner previously explained, with resultant f transposal'of the trailing wireends of said' fabric relative to the teeth 45, 49 of the opposing members 46, 47 respectively, so that .the sheds are reversed upon subsequent approach of the teeth (which immediately-.folows), the apparatus thereafter coming to rest with the lshed formers closed after a complete cycle of theoperations just recited. By employing crimped wire with the crests l of the crimps s` aced say a quarter of an inch apart, and wit proper interchange of the shed forming elements, -it is possible to promesh ranging from one-half inch pitch to an inch and ahalf pitch, oreven more, as may Having thus escribed our invention, we claim: 4

l.' In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire'mesh, the combination ofv automati- '3f=; cally-operative vertically reciprocable and. 5

' sively form angularly-disposed sheds of wire #gravity-influenced means adapted to succesends trailing from previously-formed fabric with alternate reversals in the relation of such'wire ends, and mechanism co-ordinated with the shed forming means operative to advance the fabric duringtemporary sep-` 'eration of the shed formers and successive shed formations.

In apparatus' for' fabricating diamond wire mesh, lthe combination o f automatically-operative vertically reciprocable and gravity influenced means adapted to successively form angularly-disposed sheds of wire ends trailing from previously-formed fabric.

with alternate reversals in the relation of such wire ends; co-ordinated means operative to advance the fabric during temporary separationof the rst mentioned means and successive shed formations; and means to automatically stop the 'apparatus after each cycle of operations'to permit placing of new strands in crossed relation Within the sheds. 3. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination of gravity-influenced automatically-operative means adapted to successively form angularly-disposed sheds including vertically movable opposing members having instrumentalities for individually engaging respectively alternate wire ends trailing .from previouslv-formed fabric; automatically-operative means to move said opposing.v members relatively to form the sheds; and co-ordinatedprogressing-means functional to advance the fabric during an interval of .temporary separation between -the opposin members to effect transposal of the trailin wire ends from the province of one set of engaging instrumentalities to that of the other set for 'reversal vof the sheds.

4. In apparatus for fabricating diamond ed to successively form angularlfy-disposed sheds of wire ends .trailing 'om previously-formed fabric, and with alternate reversals in the relation of such Wire ends; -means'to advance the fabric between. successive shed formations; drive mechanism coordinating `the vmovements of the shed forming means and the fabric advancing means, said drive mechanism includingja4 clutch comprislng cooperatlve coupling members, a wedge shoe capable of automatically efiecting separation of saidcoupling members" to stop -the apparatus upon commanually operative vmeans whereby said wedge shoe may be retracted to start the apparatus.

6. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination of automatically-operative" means adapted to successively form angularly-disposed sheds of-wire ends trailing from previously-formed fabric, and with alternate reversals in 'the relation of -pletion of each cycle of operations; and

such wire ends; co-ordinated means operative to advance the fabric between successive. shed formations -including cooperative' pairs of traction rollers; and mechanism for imparting the necessary intermittent movement to one set of the traction rollers aforesaid. i

7. In apparatusfor fabricating diamond vire mesh, the combination of automatically-operative vertically reciprocable gravityinfluenced means adapted to l,successively form langularly disposed sheds of. wire ends trailing from previously-formed fabric, and with alternate reversals in the relation' of a p y 1,605,984

wire mesh, the combination of automatically-operative verticall reciprocable gravity-v y.

influenced means a aptedV to successive form angularly disposed sheds of wire ends trailing from previously-formed fabric, and with alternate reversals in the relation of such wire ends; means to advance the fabric. between successive shed formations includsaid ratchet; and means enabling adjustment of the throw of said pawl to lvary the increment of fabric progressionand thereby predetermine the pitch ofthe fabric meshes.

D. In apparatus for fabricating diamondv wire mesh, the combination of automatical ly-operative vertically reciprocable means .to

successively form angularly disposed sheds.

of wire ends trailing from previouslyformed fabric, and with valternate reversals in the relation of such wire ends; means to advance the fabric between successive. shed formations including cooperative Ipairs of upper and lower traction rollers, the upper set of said rollers being supported for bodily movement :relative to 'the'lower set and manually operative means effective to elevate the upper set of rolls and permit initial threading of the fabric between the two groups. v

10. 'In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination of automatically-operative .means to successively form angular-ly disposed sheds of wire ends trail'- alternate reversals in the relation of such;

wire ends;,and means to advance the fabric between successive shed formations including cooperative pairs of traction rollers, one set of said rollers being journaled in a pirotod frame so as to be retractablebodily relative to the other set to permitinitial threading of fabric between the -two groups.

il. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mei-ih. the combination of angularlydisposed shed formers, each comprising vertie-alli movable opposing members having individual wire-engaging instrumentalities secured to them with capacity for ready removal and interchanging; automaticallyoperative eo-ordinated means for effecting mechanical approach of the opposing members to form the sheds, and means .effective to initiate gravitational separation of said opposing members.

12. In apparatus for fabricating diamond' wire mesh, the combination .of angularlydisposed gravity-inuenced shed formcrs,

each comprising a pair of vertically-reciprocable opposingmembers sustaining instrumentalities for individually engaging alternate wires trailing from the metallic fabric to Hex them in opposite directions in .forming the sheds; automatically-operable co-ordinated shifter members adapted to effect approach of the opposing members for the purpose stated; and means associated with said members to facilitate introduction of new lstrands of wire into the sheds.

13. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination of angularlydisposed shed formers, each comprising a pair .'of vertically reciprocable opposing members 'removably supporting instrumentalities lfor individually engaging alternate trailing Wires of the metallic fabric to fiex them vin opposite directions in forming the sheds; automatically operative co-ordinated shifter bars adapted to effect approach of the opposing members for thewpurpose.

stated; and stops on said members serving to vlimit the eirterL of projection of new strands of wire into the sheds and predetermine their ultimate positions in the fabric.

14:. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wiremesh, the combination. of angularlydisposed vertically-reciprocableand gravityinfluenced shed formers, each comprising a pa1r of opposing members; elements with individual wire-engaging instrumentalities removably attached to said opposing mein'- b ers; and mechanism operative to effect simultaneous approach of the opposing members to flex alternate trailing wire ends of the fabric and thereby form the sheds.

.15. I n apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination of angularlydisposed vertically recipr ocable]shed forms ers, each comprising a pair of opposing ing from previously-formed fabric, and with jaws; and plate elements having wire-enstrands of wire into the sheds;l and automatically swingable bars adapted to effect approach'ofthe opposing jaws aforesaid to form the sheds. 1

16. In' apparatus for fabricating diamond4 wiremesh, the combination of angularlydisposed vertically guided .and gravity-influenced shed foi-mers; each comprising a pair of opposing jaws respectively supporting projecting teeth for individually engaging alternate wires trailing from'the fabric to iex them in opposite directions in forming the sheds; and shifter members for effecting. approach of the opposing megnbers aforesaid for the purpose stated. f

17. In apparatus for fabricatingdiamond i `wire mesh, the `combination of singularly-,

A sheds; means to guide said opposing members to rcciprocative movement; pivotallysuspended bars adapted to cooperate with anti-friction rolls carried by the opposing'v members; and means for longitudinally shifting said bars simultaneously to eect approach of the opposing members for the purpose stated.

1S. In apparatus for fabricating diamond Wire mesh, the combination of' angularlydisposed vertically reciprocable shed formers, each comprising a pair of opposing members respectively having instrumentalities Afor individually engaging alternate trailing wires of the metallic fabric to ex them in opposite directions in forming the sheds; means to guide the said opposing members to reciprocative movement; swing ably-suspended bars adapted to lcooperate with anti-friction rollers on said opposing members; and means for shifting said bars longitudinally in' effecting approach of .the opposing members for the purpose stated; said means including rotary discs having eccentric pins adapted to engage, during each revolution, with gravity latch hooks pivotall)7 mounted on the swingable bars.

In testimony whereof, we have .hereunto signed our names at Norristown, Pa., this 11th day of August, 1925. l

JOHN K. GEHRET. MAHLON P. GEHRET. 

